Device and method for making chenille and the like



A. UNGER 2,255,401

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MAKING CHENILLE AND THE LIKE Sept. 9, 1941.

Filed May 31, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Ayaizam Vrzger Sept. 9, 1941.

A. UNGER DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MAKING CHENILLE AND THE LIKE Filed May 31, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNVENTdR I Aha/35772 TTORNEY Spt. 9,1941. N R

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MAKING CHENILLE AND THE LIKE Filed May 31, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Alva/gun 77246;

p 4 ,A/VJ ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 9, 1941 DEVICE AND METHODlFOR MAKING CHENILLE AND THE LIKE Abraham Concord Chenille (30., Inc New York,

Unger, New York, N. Y., assignor to I a corporation of New York Application May 31, 1938, Serial No. 210,958

24 Claims.

The present invention relates to the manufacture of chenille yarn and the like, and more par-- ticularly to a machine and method for curling or swirling the yarn.

Chenille yarn, usually comprises relatively short fibers mounted between two or more twisted threads. In cases where the chenille is utilized for making synthetic fur such as astrakhan or the like and for various other purposes, it is desirable to curl or swirl the free ends of the fibers to create a curly or wooly appearance.

Such curling or swirling of the free ends of the chenille fibers has been accomplished by reciprocating the yarn back and forth in a heated tube having a roughened inner bore. The devices and methods used for this purpose do not lend themselves to quantity production or to finished chenille of uniform quality and texture. The present invention contemplates a method. and machine designed to treat chenille at a very rapid rate with a minimum of labor and to produce a chenille of uniform texture, qualityand appearance. The invention assures uniform curling without causing the fibers to be inclined either forwardly or backwardly with. respect to the centrally disposed holding thread and to maintain the curled portions in a plane substantially perpendicular to the thread. The method minimizes the tendency of the fibers to return to their original state or to become disarranged.

An object of the present invention is to pro-' vide an improved machine and method for curling or twisting chenille yarn.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive machine for curling chenille yarn on a commercial scale.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine adapted to simultaneously curl a plurality of strands of chenille yarn to increasethe output of the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine for moving the yarn through acurling device with a backward and forward movement adapted to give the yarn an improved appearance.

Another object of the invention is'to' provide a mechanism for alternately moving the yarn backward and forward at predetermined. intervals Without imposing undue strain on the yarn.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine for curling chenille yarn Without creating a rat-tail effect in the finished yarn.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine which is automatic in operation and requires a minimum of manual supervision.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method of curling chenille yarn which compensates for the tendency of the fibers of the yarn to rat-tail due to forward movement of the yarn through the curling device.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein Will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawings,. forming a part of the specification, wherein Fig; 1 is a side elevational View of a machine for curling chenille yarn illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention, with parts being broken away for clearness;

Fig.2. is a top plan view of the machine shown in Fig. 1;.

Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken along the line 3'-3'.Of Fig; 2'; 5

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4+4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the 5-5 or Fig.2;

Fig. 6 is a sectional View taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 1, illustratinga mechanism for effecting backward and forward movement of the chenille;

Figs. 7 and-7aillustrate side and end views, respectively, of the chenille yarn prior to being curled; v

Figs. 8 and 8a illustrate side and end views, respectively, of the chenille yarn after being curled; and

Fig.9-is a schematic'view illustrating the move.- ment of'the-chenille yarn while being curled.

Referring again to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a base-or'frame 1 preferably constructed of suitable angle irons. A table portion or. runway 2 is mounted at the upper end of'the base forming a support for a curling device 5 and suitable line feed rollers, about to be described, for movingchejnille yarn or. the like through the curling device,

The curling device preferably comprises an electrically, heated oven 5 having a plurality of curlingtubes i6 extending therethrough. Preferably, the oven is thermostatically controlled and the curling tubes are packed in a bed of sand spectively (Fig. 1).

(Fig. 4) to minimize rapid change in tempera ture. The tubes may be formed of clay or of metal suitably roughened on the interior to twist or curl the straight fibers of chenille yarn, shown in Figs. '7 and 7a, into substantially spiral position, as shown in Figs. 8 and 8a. Any desired number of tubes may be utilized, for example, twenty-four, and a corresponding number of strands of chenille yarn may be simultaneously passed through the tubes.

The chenille yarn to be curled, preferably is fed to the machine from a box or container ill by upper and lower feed rollers 1 and 8 at one end of the machine (Figs. 1 and and is held under tension by passing it between a plurality of staggered rods H mounted on a bracket l2 secured to the table 2. The lower roller 8 may be rotatably mounted on a stationary support I 4 and the upper roller 1 may be mounted on a bracket l5 which is adapted to move upwardly but is normally held downwardly by a suitable spring IE or the like to cause the rollers to resiliently engage the chenille.

In order to hold the several strands of chenille out of contact with each other as they enter and leave the tubes 6, suitable guides l7 (Figs. 1, 2 and i) are provided on the table at each end of the curling device. These guides may be in the form of upwardly projecting fingers or eyelet members having apertures therein through which the yarn is adapted to pass.

At the discharge end of the table 2 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3), upper and lower feed rollers 20 and 2|, cooperating with the feed rollers 1 and 8 at the other end of the machine, deliver the curled chenille to a container 22; In order to prevent the yarn from slipping with respect to the rollers, it is passed over a third roller 23 adjacent and above the roller 20. In addition, the rollers are resiliently urged towards each other by mounting the rollers 20 and 23 on brackets 24 held downwardly by a spring 25. Suitable guides or doctors 26 and 21 (Fig. 3) may be mounted adjacent the. roller 23 to prevent portions of the yarn or the curled fibers thereof from getting back into the rollers in the event there is any slack in the yarn. To minimize any slack in the yarn after leaving the roller 23, the yarn is passed over a rotating drum 28 driven by a belt 29 and chain 30 operatively connected to a rotating shaft 74 (Fig. 1). The drum preferably has rods 3| adapted to increase the pull on the chenille to prevent slippage.

The rollers 1 and 8 at the forward end of the machine are rotatably connected to each other by gears 32 and 33 and the rollers 20, 21 and 23 at the other end of the table are likewise rotatably connected by gears 34, 35 and 36 re- Th rollers are driven by providing the lower rollers 8 and 2| with sprockets 3'! meshing with a drive chain 39 driven by a sprocket 40. The drive sprocket 40 preferably is mounted on a shaft 4| having a bevel gear 42 thereon adapted to be driven by a suitable drive mechanism described hereafter. Any slack in the driven chain may be taken up by. an adjustable tightener 43 (Fig. 1).

In order to curl the chenille yarn shown in Figs. 7 and 7a so that the fibers are substantially S-shaped or spiral, as shown in Figs. 8 and 8a, the strands of yarn are subjected to a series of back and forth movements with respect to curling tubes. A preferred manner of reciprocating the'yarn is illustrated schematically in Fig. 9,

wherein a length of yarn'is shown being moved back and forth during one cycle of operation. All the strands of chenille yarn between the feed roller are moved in the same manner simultaneously, hence a description of the movement of one strand will serve to illustrate the movement of the other strands.

The cycle of movement (Fig. 9) preferably comprises placing the yarn in the curling tubes as indicated by the strand in position A. The next step is to move the yarn backward a relatively short distance, for example one and one quarter inches, to position B, and then to move the yarn forward a relatively short distance, for example three quarters of an inch to position C. These short back and forth movements preferably are repeated several times as indicated by positions B C B C and B Thereafter the yarn is moved forward a relatively longer distance, for example about nine inches, to deliver a portion of curled chenille yarn from the discharge end of the tube;

A novel feature of the present invention, as noted from the above cycle of operation, is that the short forward movements are shorter than the short backward movements. As a result, a length of yarn after being reciprocated several times, has been moved progressively backward several inches. This backward movement is very beneficial because it twists the fibers of the yarn into substantially true spiral shape so that the free ends of the yarn are not visible. Also, it serves to curl the fibers tightly around the core or mounting threads T (Figs. '7, 7a, 8, and 8a) to prevent them from uncurling or rat tailing. A further feature is that the resulting backward travel of the yarn compensates for the long forward movement to deliver a portion of finished yarn so that the fibers will not uncurl or be otherwise disturbed. The curled fibers will not slant backward or forward or have a frayed appearance, but will maintain their spiral shape in a plane substantially perpendicular to the mounting threads.

A preferred mechanism for effecting the above described movement of the yarn, is illustrated more particularly in Figs. 1 and 6. This mechanism comprises a pair of drive gears 45 and 46 meshing with the driven gear 42 at diametrically opposite points thereof which are adapted to be alternately rotated to rotate the driven gear 42 which rotates the chain drive shaft in either direction to effect reciprocation of the yarn. The drive gears 45 and 45 are mounted for free rotation on a shaft 41 rotated continuously by a motor 48 through a reduction gear 49, a drive sprocket 50 and a chain sprocket 52 on the shaft 41.

To effect rotation of the drive gears 45 and 46 alternately, each gear has a clutch portion 55 adapted to be engaged alternatelyby a clutch member 56 slidably keyed for rotation on the shaft 41. The slidable clutch members are moved by a rod 59 which is reciprocated at intervals by a suitable device about to be described. Each 5| meshing with a clutch member is operatively secured to the rod 59 so that movement of the rod in one direction renders one of the clutches effective to rotate, for example the drive gear 45 while the other clutch is rendered ineffective and permits, for example, thedriving gear 46 to be rotated idly by the driven gear 42.

The slidable clutch members 56 preferably are connected to the, reciprocating rod by fingers 60 secured .to the rod 59 and the fingers engage slidable, collars .6! on the shaft .41 which are connected to the clutch members 56 by springs 62 or other resilient means. The springs 52 permit the slidable clutch members to be forced away from the clutch portions of the drive gears 45 and 16 in the event the teeth 6 of one clutch member engage slightly the teeth of the adjacent clutch portion while the other clutch is in effective position. The teeth of the improperly engaging clutch. parts will not catch but will jump or skip without rotating the drive gear adjacent the clutch. In this manner, breaking is prevented if the parts become loose and both clutches accidentally engage at the same time. The springs also permit the teeth of the clutch portions 55 and the slidable clutch members 56 to adjust themselves while the clutch members are being moved into effective position.

In order to positively move the slidable clutch members out of effective position and minimize the contingency of both clutches being partly effective, a bolt 65 or the like is slidably mounted in lugs or ears 56 on the collars 6! and the slidable clutch members 56 which has a head 59 and a nut 10 engaging the lugs. While the bolt permits the collars and clutch members to move towards each other in opposition to the spring, it limits the distance the collars and clutch members can be moved apart. Hence, when the springs are urging the collars and clutch members apart, movement of the collars away from the clutch members causes the bolt to move the clutch member. By utilizing the bolts, the springs do not pull the clutch members and are not stretched to impair their operation.

The rod- 59 for operating the clutches, preferably is reciprocated by a lever ll pivotally mounted to'the frame or base having a cam roller 2 at the lower end seated in a cam groove of a cam 13 rotated by a cam shaft 1 The cam is designed to effect the desired reciprocating movement of the yarn illustrated in Fig. 9, To accomplish this, the cam has a series of alternate dwells 15 for causing the clutches to effect backward movement of the yarn and ridges 16 for causing the clutches to effect forward movement of the yarn. The dwells and ridges are relatively circumferentially short and theridges are shorter than the dwells to effect the increased backward movement of the yarn while being reciprocated. Intermediate the series of alternate dwells and ridges, a relatively circumferentially long ridge TI is provided which effects the long forward movement to deliver the yarn. V I

During the relatively long forward movement of the yarn, it is desirable to relieve the yarn of as much tension as possible to prevent the yarn from breaking and any untwisting action of the fibers caused by pulling the yarn too tightly. This result is attained by raising the roller 1 out of contact with the yarn to permit the yarn to be moved forwardly by the rollers 25, 2| and 23. A suitable device for raising the roller 1 is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5 and may comprise a pivotally mounted armllfl connected to the roller bracket 5, a rod 8! periodically raised by a pivotally mounted lever 82 carrying a cam roller 8-3 riding on a cam 8d mounted on the cam shaft l t (Fig. 1). The cam 85 has an outwardly extending peripheral portion or ridge 85 substantially circumferentially co-extensive with the cam portion ll of the cam '53 to cause the roller 1 to be raised during each long forward movement of the yarn.

Thecam shaft 14 for rotating the cams 73. and

84 may be rotated at a predetermined speed .in

' a bevel gear 94! (Fig. 1) on a vertical shaft iii having a bevel gear 232 at the lower end meshing with a bevel gear 93 on the cam shaft.

In order to minimize tension and resulting strains in. the yarn during the relatively short backward" and forward movements of the yarn, the teeth 96' of the gears 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36 which rotatably connect the feed rollers, are of relatively short circumferential length and are spaced by relatively wide gear recesses 91 (Fig. 1). Hence, when rotation of the lower gears 8 and 2! driven by the chain is reversed, the upper gears idle momentarily, due to the recesses, and move when the teeth f the gears engage. This causes the rollers to feed the yarn gradually without sudden application of force causing a jerky movement which might break or otherwise impair the yarn.

It will be seen that the present invention provides a simple, inexpensive machine and an improved method of curling chenille yarn. By alternately reversing the movement of the chenille with respect to the tube, the fibers are curled tightly to improve the appearance of the yarn. By providing a backward movement slightly greater than the forward movement during the curling operations, the fibers assume a true spiral shape and will not rat tail or be untwisted when removed from the tubes. By passing a. plurality of strands through a corresponding number of tubes simultaneously, the output of the machine is greatly increased with out increase in cost, speed of operation or complexity of the operating mechanism. The machine occupies a minimum amount of space, can be operated with a minimum of manual supervision and can be operated continuously for long periods of time without repairs. The machine is rugged in construction and can readily withstand any rough usage to which it may be subjected.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts herein Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a: limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1.. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means adapted to curl the fibers of a plurality of strands of chenille yarn simultaneously, means for moving the strands of chenille yarn forwardly with respect to said curling means, means for reversing the action of said moving means to move the yarn alternately spect to said curling means, and means for reversing the action of said moving means to move theyarn backward and forward a relatively short (1151391106 with respect to said curling -means a number of times and thereafter to move the yarn forward a relatively greater distance, and means for preventing said driving means from exerting forces on the yarn tending to pull it both forward and backward at the same time.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means adapted to curl a plurality of strands f chenille yarn simultaneously, means for moving the strands of chenille with respect to said curling means, and means for reversing the action of said moving means to cause said moving means to move the strands of yarn alternately backward and forward a relatively short distance, said means being adapted to produce a total backward movement greater than the total forward movement, and thereafter to move the yarn forward a relatively long distance to deliver curled yarn.

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means adapted to curl chenille yarn, means for moving the chenille yarn with respect to said curling means, and means for causing said moving means to move the yarn backward a predetermined distance and forward a relatively shorter distance repeatedly and to thereafter move the yarn forwardly a distance sufficient to effect movement of the yarn out of the curling means.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means adapted to curl chenille yarn, a pair of cooperating rollers at each side of said curling means for moving the chenille yarn with respect to said curling means, and drive means for alternately rotating said rollers first in one direction and then in the opposite direction to reciprocate the yarn a relatively short distance with respect to said curling means and thereafter rotating said rollers in a direction to move the yarn a relatively long distance to deliver the curled yarn from said curling means.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means adapted to curl chenille yarn, a pair of adjacent feed rollers at each side of said curling means for engaging the chenille yarn, adapted to move said yarn with respect to said curling means while holding the yarn under tension, means for rotating said rollers to move the yarn and means for separating the rollers of one pair of relieve the tension to which the yarn is subjected while moving with respect to the curling means.

7. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means for curling chenille yarn, means at each side of said curling means for frictionally engaging the yarn and adapted to move the yarn with respect to said curling means, means for moving said yarn engaging means to reciprocate the yarn with respect to said curling means and to periodically move the yarn to discharge a portion of the yarn from said curling means, and means for causing said yarn engaging means at one side of said curling means to release the yarn while being discharged.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means adapted to curl chenille yarn, a pair of cooperating feed rollers at each side of said curling means for moving the chenille yarn with respect to said curling means, drive means for alternately rotating said rollers first in one direction and then in the opposite direction to reciprocate the yarn with respect to said curling means, and thereafter rotating said rollers in a direction to remove the curled yarn from said curling means, and means for separating the rollers of one pair while said other pair of rollers are rotated in a direction to remove the yarn from said curling means.

9. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means adapted to curl chenille yarn, an upper and lower feed roller at each side of said curling means for moving yarn with respect to said curling means, a pivotally mounted frame for supporting one of said upper rollers, drive means for rotating said rollers to effect alternate backward and forward movement of the yarn with respect to said curling means and for rotating the rollers at intervals to effect forward movement of the yarn to remove portions thereof from said curling means, and cam means operatively connected to said frame for raising said frame while the yarn is being discharged.

10. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means for curling chenille yarn, rollers for moving the yarn with respect to said curling means, means for rotating said rollers,

and clutch means for alternately causing clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation of said rotating means.

11. In a machine of the class described, the

-combination of means for curling chenille yarn,

means for reciprocating the yarn with respect to said curling means including a driven gear, a rotatable drive shaft, a pair of freely rotatable drive gears on said shaft, said drive gears being :in engagement with and being diametrically opposed with respect to said driven gear to alternately effect either clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation of said driven gear, and a clutch associated with each of said drive gears adapted :to render said drive gears rotatable with said rotatable shaft, and means for rendering one of said clutches effective to cause rotation of one of said gears while rendering the other clutch ineffective.

12. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means for curling chenille yarn, means for reciprocating the yarn with respect to said curling means including a driven gear, a rotatable drive shaft, a pair of freely rotatable gears on said drive shaft each having a clutch face, said gears being in engagement with and diametrically opposed with respect to said driven gear to alternately eifect either clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation of said driven gear,

and a clutch member adjacent each of said clutch faces of said drive gears, said clutch members being slidably mounted on said drive shaft and rotatable therewith, a slidable member operatively connected to said clutch members, and

means for moving said slidable member to move "with said other clutch face to render said other gear freely rotatable with respect to said shaft.

13. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means for curling chenille yarn, rollers for moving the yarn with respect to said curling means, means for rotating said rollers, clutch means for alternately causing clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation of said rotating means and cam means for operating said clutch means.

14. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means for curling chenille yarn. means for moving the yarn with respect to said curling means, and means operatively connected to said moving means including a cam having a series of relatively short portions for causing said moving means to effect alternate backward and forward movement of the yarn and having a relatively long portion for causing said moving means to effect forward movement of the yarn.

15. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means for curling chenille yarn, means for moving the yarn with respect to said curling means, and means operatively connected to said moving means including a cam having relatively short alternately arranged circumferential portions for causing said moving means to effect alternate backward and forward movement of the yarn, a plurality of said portions for causing backward movement being longer than certain of said portions for causing forward movement and one of said portions for causing forward movement being longer than the portions for causing backward movement whereby the yarn is adapted to advance out of the curling means.

16. In a machine of the class described, the

combination of means for curling chenille yarn, a pair of feed rollers at each side of said curling means for frictionally engaging and moving said yarn with respect to said curling means, means for rotating said rollers including a cam for alternately effecting either clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of said rollers to move the yarn backward and forward, and a second cam operatively connected to move one of said rollers out of frictional engagement with the yarn at predetermined intervals.

1'7. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means adapted to curl chenille yarn, means for moving the yarn with respect to said curling means, a pair of alternately effective clutches adapted to cause said moving means to move the yarn alternately backward and forward, and means including a cam for operating said clutches, said cam having a contour for alternately holding said clutches in operative position a relatively short period of time and hav- 7 ing a contour holding one of said clutches in operative position a relatively longer period of time.

18. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means adapted to curl chenille yarn, means including a plurality of feed rollers for moving the yarn with respect to said curling means, a pair of alternately effective clutches adapted to cause said moving means'to move the yarn alternately backward and forward, means including a cam for operating said clutches, said cam having a contour for alternately holding said clutches in operative position a relatively short period of time and having a contour for holding one of said clutches in operative position a relatively long period oftime, and means for rendering one of said feed rollers ineffective while one of said clutches is held in operative position during said relatively long period of time.

19. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a plurality of tubes adapted to curl chenille yarn, means for heating said tubes,

a pair of rollers at each end of said tubes adapted to move a plurality of strands of yarn with respect to said tubes, means including a pair of clutches and a cam for alternately effecting backward and forward movement of said movin means and efiecting a relatively long forward movement, and means for raising one of the rollers at one end of the tubes during the relatively long forward movement of the yarn.

20. A method of curling chenille yarn or the like, which comprises passing the yarn through a curling means and alternately moving the yarn backwards and forwards with respect to the curling means, the amount of backward movement being greater than the amount of forward movement, and thereafter moving the yarn forward a substantial distance.

21. A method of curling chenille yarn or the like, which comprises passing yarn through a curling means, alternately moving the yarn backward and forward a number of times with respect to said curling means, the amount of backward movement being greater than the amount of forward movement, and thereafter moving the yarn forwardly with respect to said curling means a relatively long distance to remove the curled yarn from the curling means.

22. A method of curling chenille yarn or the like, which comprises passing yarn through a curling tube, heating said tube, alternately moving the yarn backward and forward a number of times with respect to said curling ftube, the amount of backward movement being greater than the amount of forward movement, and thereafter moving the yarn forwardly a relatively long distance to remove a part of the curled yarn from the tube.

23. A method of curling chenille yarn or the like, which comprises placing yarn into a curling means, holding yarn under tension while in the curling means, moving the yarn backward and forward a number of times while in the curling means to curl the yarn, the amount of backward movement being greater than the amount of forward movement, thereafter moving the yarn forward a relatively long distance to deliver a portion of the curled yarn from the curling means, and relieving the tension during the long forward movement of the yarn.

24. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a plurality of tubes adapted, when heated, to curl strands of chenille, means adjacent one end of said tubes adapted simultaneously to draw strands of chenille forwardly through said tubes, means adjacent the other ends of said tubes adapted periodically to exert a pull on the several strands of chenille simultaneously to draw the chenille backward through said tubes to curl the chenille and means for discontinuing the forward drawing action of said first means during the backward pulling action of said second means.

ABRAHAM UNGER. 

